Skipper Palfrey warns of Scorpions sting

OLDHAM captain Lewis Palfrey has warned that his side can’t afford to underestimate South Wales Scorpions in Sunday’s League One clash at Mountain Ash.

The Welshmen haven’t won a game for nearly 10 months, but Palfrey prefers to focus on their two new signings, Yannic Parker and Bradley Mais.

Welsh international Parker made his debut on the wing in last week’s 30-12 home defeat by London Skolars.

Like Cardiff-born Mais, Parker has joined Scorpions on a month’s loan from Gloucester All Golds.

Mais (19), a second-row man or centre spent two years in the under-19s side at Wigan Warriors.

Palfrey said: “Scorpions are one of those teams that won’t go away. You think you’re getting on top of them and then back they come with a try. They’ll be upbeat too after making a couple of signings.

“We’ve beaten them comfortably at Whitebank twice in my time at Oldham, but it’s always been a different sort of game in South Wales. We need to get off to a good start and play well for 80 minutes.”

Oldham coach Scott Naylor will be making changes to the side that beat Coventry 38-10 last week.

He said: “We’ve no injuries as such, but a couple of the boys look in better condition because they were given a rest last Sunday.

“It makes sense for the freshest players to return to the side , especially when we have a long journey ahead of us.”

Naylor said there wouldn’t be dual-reg players involved this time, which rules out Huddersfield’s young Oldham-born forward Josh Johnson, who produced a man-of-the-match performance last time out against Coventry.

First-team regulars Palfrey, Sam Gee, Phil Joy, George Tyson, Liam Thompson and Gareth Owen were rested from that match, but they will all be back in contention and pushing for inclusion in the 18-strong party to travel to the Valleys.